Upcoming Events

Loyola at a Glance

'Love Your Body Week' celebrates positive body image

February 10, 2012

Robyn McGee will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Room.

The Women’s Resource Center at Loyola University New Orleans will celebrate health and well-being with “Love Your Body Week,” Feb. 13 – 17. This year’s theme is “Considerations of Body Image,” and several of the events will also recognize Black History Month. All events are free and open to the public.

The events of Loyola's “Love Your Body Week” consider the societal forces and everyday pressures that can affect one’s self-esteem and include discussions about the ways body image is influenced by stereotypes of race and gender. Throughout the entire week, a body image poster will be displayed in the banner space in the Danna Student Center. The poster will compare costs for maintaining the “beauty ideal” versus other things one could spend that money on which feed the soul and intellect.

Author and motivational speaker Robyn McGee will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Room, located in the Danna Student Center. A reception and book signing will follow.

McGee is a Los Angeles-based writer and motivational speaker whose book, “Hungry for More,” was inspired by her sister Cathy who died in 2001 after a gastric bypass operation. Since the publication of “Hungry,” McGee has traveled across the country speaking to young women and men about the importance of maintaining healthy minds, bodies and spirits. A critic of the stereotypical ways people of color are portrayed in the media and popular culture, McGee has appeared on BET, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey satellite radio program, among other media outlets.

“Love your Body Week” events and activities include:

Monday, Feb. 13

Body-Mapping Project, 12:30 – 2 p.m., Women’s Resource Center, Mercy Hall 103. This project is meant to give participants a means to creatively express their experiences with society’s “beauty ideal” and how that affects their body image. Students will be able to trace the silhouette of their body on paper, cut it out and decorate it. A massage therapist provided by the Department of Athletics and Wellness will also be available from noon-1:30 p.m.

“Masculinity, Race, and Body Image,” 7 p.m., Gallery D, Danna Student Center basement. This program, presented by Charles Corprew, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and Courtney Williams, area director for Residential Life, is an opportunity for Loyola's diverse men and women to have an intimate conversation about their perceptions of the intersection of masculinity, race and body image and how these factors influence everyday lives. This event is sponsored by The Coalition, a group of Loyola males focused on promoting character, scholarship, and leadership.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Take Off Your Make-Up Day display, 12:30 – 2 p.m., One Loyola Room, Danna Student Center. At this display, participants can enter a raffle for a gift certificate to Maple Street Café, which is sponsored by Student Advocates for Gender Equality.

Auditions for the play, “for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf,” 6 p.m., 4th floor of Marquette Hall. This play by Ntozake Shange is scheduled to run during Sexual Non-Violence Week, April 16-20. Contact Katie Peters at kmpeters@loyno.edu for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

“Hungry For More – African-American Women and Body Image,” presentation by motivational speaker Robyn McGee, 6:30 p.m., St. Charles Room. This keynote lecture is sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center, Center for Intercultural Understanding, Office of Co-Curricular Programs, with the participation of the Black Student Union.

Loyola at a Glance is written and distributed for the faculty, staff, students and friends of Loyola University New Orleans. It is published by the Office of Public Affairs, Greenville Hall, Box 909, 7214 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118. (504) 861-5888.

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